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Monday, September 4, 2017 Dhul-Hijja 13, 1438 AH Another Kohli GULF TIMES ton as India sweep ODI series 5-0 SPORT Page 4 RALLYING TENNIS Al-Attiyah on verge Nadal battles on, moves a of world title with step closer to Poland Baja win Federer clash The Qatari finished 3min 54sec in front of series rival Jakub Przygonski and now takes an 81-point lead to the remaining two rounds of the series

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates beating Leonardo Mayer of Argentina (not pictured) on day six of the US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. PICTURE: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

AFP Shapovalov’s US Open New York dream goes ‘Busta’ New York: Canada’s Denis Shapo- orld number one Rafael valov failed in his bid to become Nadal battled back from the youngest US Open quarter- a set down to reach the finalist for 29 years when he was US Open last 16 for a knocked out by Spanish 12th seed Wninth time Saturday, edging closer to Pablo Carreno Busta in the third a potential semi-fi nal duel with old round yesterday. rival Roger Federer. Qualifier Shapovalov, 18, was beaten Nadal, 31, saw off Argentine lucky 7-6, (7/2), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) by loser Leonardo Mayer 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 26-year-old Carreno Busta, who also 6-1, 6-4, taking his record the made the French Open quarter- world number 59 from Buenos Aires finals this year. to 4-0. Carreno Busta will face either He will face Ukraine’s Alexandr France’s Lucas Pouille or Diego Dolgopolov, against whom he is 6-2, Schwartzman of Argentina for a for a place in the quarter-fi nals. semi-place. If he gets through that, then a fi rst- ever showdown in New York against Federer would move a little nearer, Mannarino 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to make the although the Swiss legend has to last 16 for the third time in four years. Nasser al-Attiyah and co-driver Matthieu Baumel power their way to victory in Poland. At bottom, they celebrate on the podium. defeat Spain’s Feliciano Lopez in his Thiem next faces 2009 champion third-round clash. Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, Our Correspondent STANDINGS Nadal had also dropped the fi rst set who put out Spain’s Roberto Bautista Szczecin, Poland of his second-round match against Agut 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies Japan’s Taro Daniel before winning Russia’s Andrey Rublev became – standings after round 9 (unoff icial): in four. the second teenager in the last 16 verdrive Racing recorded 1. Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah (QAT) 240pts Saturday was almost a carbon copy when he beat Bosnia’s Damir Dzum- their seventh FIA World Cup 2. Jakub Przygonski (POL) 159pts with the 15-time major winner un- hur 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. rally victory of the season 3. Khalid al-Qassimi (ARE) 105pts able to convert any of six points in the Rublev, just 19, faces Belgian ninth when Qatar’s Nasser al-At- 4. Yasir Saeidan (SAU) 96pts opener. But the match turned in the seed David Goffi n who progressed tiyahO and French navigator Matthieu 4. Aron Domzala (POL) 96pts 10-minute seventh game of the sec- when 2016 semi-fi nalist Gael Monfi ls Baumel secured the win in ORLEN Baja 6. Mohammed Abu Issa (QAT) 84pts ond set when, on his 14th break point retired with a right knee injury. Poland, round nine of the FIA World 7. Martin Prokop (CZE) 72pts of the encounter, he fi nally smashed Women’s top seed Karolina Plisk- Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, in Szc- 8. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE) 55pts, etc his way through. ova saved a match point to defeat zecin. There was no way back for Mayer, China’s Zhang Shuai, hanging on to The Qatari fi nished 3min 54sec in quickest and held fi fth, third and eighth who ended the match with 52 un- her world number one spot in the front of series rival Jakub Przygonski at the overnight halt in Szczecin. forced errors and his record against process. and now takes an unoffi cial 81-point Ten Brinke complained of getting top 10 opponents at 1-25. Top seed Pliskova, the runner-up championship lead to the remaining stuck in thick mud for around 90 sec- “It was a long day,” said Nadal who in 2016, triumphed 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 but two rounds of the series in Morocco onds and Domzala got stuck in a river, brought the curtain down on the day was forced to save a match point in and Portugal, where there are a maxi- had to reverse and lost even more time session at 8.40pm and under the the 10th game of the second set and mum 90 points at stake for the winner when he ran out of windscreen washer Arthur Ashe Stadium roof. recover from a break down in the de- of both events. cal problems forced the crew out on the Al-Attiyah opted to start the open- fl uid and suff ered visibility problems in “It was tough. I had 14 break points cider. “I am delighted to take another im- fi rst of the longer stages on Saturday ing selective section of 215.90km the muddy conditions over the closing — that’s not a good fi gure. But I was “I was match point down and I portant victory with this win in Po- morning. through the Drawsko Pomorskie mili- kilometres. there mentally and fought a lot at the thought I haven’t tried many fore- land,” said al-Attiyah. “I built up a good Work commitments in the Nether- tary fi ring range from third position. “We managed to fi nish both stages right moments.” hand winners down the line. That’s lead on Saturday and I was able to slow lands meant that Erik Van Loon and Domzala, Ten Brinke and Munk fol- without any problems,” admitted al- Five-time champion Federer faces what I did. I may not have got anoth- down a bit and control the pace.” navigator Wouter Rosegaar missed out lowed in fourth, fi fth and eighth. The Attiyah. “It was not easy. There were Lopez boasting a 12-0 record over er chance,” said the 25-year-old, who Four of Overdrive Racing’s Toyota on ORLEN Baja Poland on this occasion. Qatari’s starting position worked well plenty of puddles lurking in the road the 31st seed, who is playing in a 16th will face American Jennifer Brady for Hiluxes reached the fi nish: Dutch- Al-Attiyah made his intentions and he safely negotiated the open- and, in some places, it was incredibly straight US Open and 63rd successive a place in the quarter-fi nals. man Bernhard Ten Brinke and Belgian perfectly clear in the opening 7.08km ing stage with the fastest time of 2hrs muddy and slippery.” Grand Slam. Had she lost on Saturday, Pliskova navigator Stéphane Prevot rounded Prologue stage on Friday evening. The 21min 07sec to extend his lead over Yesterday’s competitive action Federer has struggled so far, need- would also have been guaranteed to off the podium places with an excel- Qatari carded the fastest time of 6min Przygonski to 27.1 seconds. Ten Brinke, consisted of two runs through a pair ing back-to-back fi ve-setters to lose her world number one ranking lent third position and the Polish duo 09.7sec to snatch a lead of 5.1 seconds Domzala and Van Merksteijn were of 18.39km and 10.5km selective sec- defeat Frances Tiafoe and Mikhail to either Wimbledon champion Gar- of Aron Domzala and Szymon Gospo- from series rival and Polish driver Ja- fourth, seventh and eighth, but Munk tions in the Dobra and Lubieszyn areas. Youzhny.Germany’s Phillip Kohls- bine Muguruza or Elina Svitolina. darczyk fi nished fi fth. Peter Van Merk- kub Przygonski. Domzala, Ten Brinke, suff ered a niggling electrical problem Former champion Krzysztof Holowczyc chreiber eliminated Australia’s John Ukraine fourth seed Svitolina steijn returned to cross-country action Munk, and Van Merksteijn were fourth, and incurred a stage maximum penalty recorded the quickest time of 17min Millman 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 and will face stayed in contention for the top rank- and teamed up with Frenchman Pascal seventh, ninth and 11th. of eight hours. 00sec in the opening Krzekowo stage, either Federer or Lopez. ing with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Shelby Maimon to claim eighth in the fourth “I was quite surprised that we won Al-Attiyah was slower on his second where Al-Attiyah dropped 75 seconds Kohlschreiber has a 0-11 record Rogers of the United States. Hilux. the Prologue,” said al-Attiyah. Domza- through the stage but still set the and saw his outright lead reduced to against Federer. Russia’s Darya Kasatkina reached Dane Jes Munk and Poland’s Rafal la said: “To be honest, I did not expect quickest time and extended his advan- 3min 15sec. Domzala, Ten Brinke and “I hope Feli wins,” smiled the the last 16 of a major for the fi rst time Marton crewed the sixth team entry such tough conditions. We went off the tage over Przygonski to 4min 09sec, as Van Merksteijn were fi fth, sixth and 33-year-old German. by seeing off French Open champion with additional support from Bewa road a few times and each of those cost Domzala, Ten Brinke and Van Merk- 10th and maintained fi fth, third and Austrian sixth seed Dominic Jelena Ostapenko, the 12th seed, 6-3, and M-For Sport, but niggling electri- me some seconds.” steijn were second, fourth and eighth eighth in the rankings. Thiem defeated France’s Adrian 6-2. Gulf Times 2 Monday, September 4, 2017 TENNIS

SPOTLIGHT MAKING A POINT Nadal criticises delay in action Federer looks to against Fognini bond with Nadal ‘I’m happy I’m still around. Rafa fought well through again today. I’m happy for him, too. We’ll see if it gets done or not. I’m curious to see myself’

AFP a suspension, he takes it, and if New York he don’t deserve, don’t take it.” A tournament statement said afael Nadal insisted that Fognini had been provision- Saturday that tennis ally suspended. As a , his chiefs were wrong to and Bolelli’s third-round doubles Rwait three days before opponents, Nicholas Monroe and kicking controversial Italian Fa- John-Patrick Smith, were given a bio Fognini out of the US Open walkover into the quarter-fi nals. for a vile, sexist tirade at a female “Pursuant to the Grand Slam umpire. Code of Conduct, Fabio Fognini The 30-year-old Fognini is hereby provisionally suspend- aimed two ugly misogynistic ed from further participation blasts at umpire Louise Engzell in the US Open pending a fi nal as he crashed to defeat in a fi rst- determination whether a major round singles match against fel- off ense has been committed dur- low Italian Stefano Travaglia on ing his fi rst round singles match,” Wednesday. said the statement. However, Fognini, with com- “The provisional suspension patriot Simone Bolelli, won is with immediate eff ect and, two rounds of men’s doubles on therefore, Mr Fognini has been Thursday and Friday before the withdrawn from his upcoming Grand Slam board defaulted him doubles match.” on Saturday. Fognini has a controversial Fognini, the world number 26, history over his on-court behav- had already been fi ned $24,000 iour and was handed a record fi ne for the incident. of $27,500 at Wimbledon in 2014. Tennis chiefs explained the “I apologise to the fans, to the delay in making a decision on a referee for what happened,” he possible suspension on having wrote in Italian on Twitter. to wait for a translation of the “It was just a very bad day, but player’s brief remarks. it did not forgive my behaviour in “It takes four days for that the match. Although I’m a hot- translation? I don’t think so. head (and though I’ve been right Easy to fi nd,” said world number in most circumstances) I was one Nadal after making the wrong. But in the end it’s only a fourth round on Saturday. tennis match.” “Of course it is not a posi- India’s Rohan Bopanna, who tive thing. Of course if you are had lost in the second round of not doing the right things on the the doubles to the Italian pair court, of course you need to be in alongside partner Pablo Cuevas, some way aff ected, no?” added accused the organisers of dither- the Spaniard. ing. Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts upon winning match point of his third round match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain. “But at the same time is true “I wanted them to play the that things can be made to hap- whole tournament. If US Open AFP fought well through again today. I’m you get with him is a privilege. when he was winning six French Open pen earlier because I believe that is letting them play 2rounds. New York happy for him, too. We’ll see if it gets “Here we are, he’s going to be stuck and fi ve Wimbledon crowns from 1974 to he played two doubles matches. Let them play whole thing and done or not. I’m curious to see myself.” with us. So it’s going, I think, to be very 1981. If they want to suspend him, will then make a decision,” Bopanna Federer is having a banner season af- special for all of us, particularly me. I “If I could play one player ever going be much better to do it immedi- tweeted. oger Federer is as curious as ter some suspected he might never lift mean, I have incredible respect for him.” back, I feel like it would be Bjorn,” Federer ately, not three days later or four “If a player is under investiga- tennis fans around the world to another Grand Slam trophy, taking the Federer said if he could turn back the said. “I feel he’s that incredibly good, for days later, because then he was tion, As a tournament you do not see if he will fi nally play against Wimbledon and Australian Open crowns. clock and face one all-time icon from an- what he did for the game. If I look how he here playing for a few days. schedule his match till a decision Rafael Nadal for the fi rst time at Nadal has done the same at age 31, other era, it would be Borg in his prime, played, what he brought to it, it’s crazy.” “Now he is out already win- has been taken.” Rthe US Open. winning his 15th Slam title by capturing ning two matches. I think it is He added: “It’s a career of all But even if not, the two career leaders his record 10th French Open crown. not the ideal situation. Probably the individuals who r invloved. in men’s Grand Slam titles will have the But the long-time rivals will team up Fift een grand slams under his belt, Nadal still feels the nerves something that will go immedi- Which US open clearly do not chance to bond as teammates and pos- on September 22-24 for the Laver Cup in ately to check it, and if he deserve care about.” sibly even doubles partners later this Prague, a new three-day team event pit- New York: Even after 858 wins and 15 “When finally I did it, everything month in a new Europe versus The World ting Bjorn Borg’s European squad against grand slam titles, Rafa Nadal still suf- changed. I was able to play more team event. a World lineup guided by John McEnroe. fers from bouts of nervousness and it freely, to start to attack better with ACE “Good for a change, yes, after all these Federer and Nadal will work together showed in Saturday’s 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1, my forehand,” said the Spaniard, who years,” Federer said. “If I can help him, alongside Austria’s Dominic Thiem, 6-4 third-round win against Argentine hit only 13 unforced errors in the last great. If he can help me, even better.” Czech Tomas Berdych, Germany’s Alex- Leonardo Mayer at the US Open. three sets, having made 13 in the Federer rolled into the fourth round ander Zverev and Croatia’s Marin Cilic. The world number one needed to opening set. Djokovic becomes of the US Open on Saturday, extending “Rafa, he has been such a wonderful wait for his 14th opportunity to break “I had more forehands down the line, his bid for a 20th career Grand Slam title champion and a good friend of mine on his opponent but by that time Mayer hitting some good backhands later. by downing Spanish 31st seed Feliciano the tour, one of my big rivals for life, that had taken the first set by winning the I think the level of tennis after that father of baby girl Lopez 6-3, 6-3, 7-5. it’s just nice to be able to spend some time tiebreak. break have been very positive.” The 36-year-old Swiss third seed, with him and support him,” Federer said. “Of course, you are under stress when Nadal, who is chasing a second grand seeking a record sixth title on New York Federer, who would be the oldest US you see that you have opportunities slam title this year after claiming a hardcourts, could meet world number Open champion in the Open Era (since almost in every game, and you are record-extending 10th French Open one Nadal in a Friday semi-fi nal at Arthur 1967), was also excited about the chance not able to convert them,” said Nadal. title in June, is growing more confi- Ashe Stadium in the one Slam where they to spend time with 61-year-old Swed- “At the beginning you get nerves dent ahead of his clash with Ukraine’s have never played. ish legend Borg, an 11-time Grand Slam when you don’t convert opportuni- Alexandr Dolgopolov. “For many years Rafa and me, we’ve champion who captain’s the European ties.” “I hope that the last three sets can be tried to play against each other here, side. Once he broke to lead 3-2 in the a good turning point for me because, and it just didn’t work out,” Federer said. “For me to spend time with Bjorn, it’s second set, Nadal appeared to be free in my opinion, I played much better “Now this week, I don’t feel necessarily quite rare,” Federer said. “He doesn’t of his early jitters and took hold of today than the two previous days the pressure’s there. spend so much time on the tour. When he the match. later in the match,” he said. “I’m happy I’m still around. Rafa shows up, it’s short. I feel every minute

BOTTOMLINE Pliskova’s No. 1 spot hangs by a thread at US Open

AFP least a semi-fi nal run and Plisk- Pliskova, who complained of AFP Between mid-January 2015 New York ova must return to the fi nal to right arm tightness during the Belgrade and June 2016, Djokovic won have a chance of keeping the top match, was searching for con- 17 of his 22 fi nals played in 24 spot. “I’m not really fi ghting just sistency in her form. tournaments. It seemed nothing arolina Pliskova is for this position but I just want “I’m playing in quite big waves welve-time Grand Slam could interrupt his dominance of struggling under the to play well and I want to win,” so far,” she said. “Sometimes I champion Novak Djoko- world tennis. pressure of trying to Pliskova said. think I play good shots, good ral- vic and his wife Jelena But for months the Serbian keep the world number “Knowing you played fi ne last lies, and then there is hundreds of have become parents of national hero — now fourth in oneK ranking and repeat a trip to year, you just want to play that mistakes and not a good shot. aT baby girl, local media reported the world rankings — has been a her fi rst Grand Slam fi nal at the good again. I don’t feel like I’m “I just try to fi ght even if my yesterday. shadow of his former self. US Open. playing that good again, but I’m game is not 100 % and it’s not Jelena gave birth on Saturday Since winning the French The 25-year-old Czech top still in the draw so I’m not going 100 % actually this week. But evening and their second child Open last year to complete the seed, last year’s runner-up on to be that sad.” I’m winning, so that’s the main will be named Tara, Blic news- career Grand Slam, he has failed the New York hardcourts, saved Muguruza is a two-time Grand thing.” paper reported on its online edi- to claim another major title. a match point with a forehand Slam champion, having won Still, she’d prefer not to face tion. He crashed out of the Austral- winner in the 11th game of the last year’s French Open and the match point Monday when she The couple have a two-year- ian Open in the second round second set Saturday in rallying to Wimbledon crown in July. Nei- faces American Jen Brady for a old son Stefan. and the French Open in the last defeat Chinese 27th seed Zhang ther Pliskova nor Svitolina have quarter-fi nal berth. The 30-year-old Djokovic an- eight. Shuai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 and reach the won a Grand Slam title. “I don’t want to get in this po- nounced in July he would miss Djokovic said in July he would last 16. And the top spot was basically sition that she’s serving for the the rest of the season with an el- need a couple of months without “It’s kind of tough for me this Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic returns a shot to Saisai Zheng vacated this year by Serena Wil- match, actually,” Pliskova said. bow injury. the racket but that surgery was year to play here. Never was in of China on Day Six of the 2017 US Open on Saturday. liams, who won her 23rd Grand “Maybe next time I should play a The Serb retired from his “not an option”. this position to defend a fi nal of Slam title while pregnant in Jan- little bit better earlier.” Wimbledon quarter-fi nal With Andre Agassi continuing a major. And I’m fi rst seeded, so opponents are behind me (in bine Muguruza, also into the uary’s Australian Open. Svitolina beat 62nd-ranked against Tomas Berdych in July as his coach while he recovers, it’s like totally diff erent story,” ranking) so I should win every fourth round, leads the ranking Her baby girl was born Friday American Shelby Rogers 6-4, because of the problem, from Djokovic now intends to be ready Pliskova said. match, which is tough.” chase while Ukraine’s fourth- and she hopes to return to defend 7-5, to sustain her chances at which is suff ering for a year- to start the new season at the be- “I feel pressure. I know all the Wimbledon champion Gar- seeded Elina Svitolina needs at her title next year in Melbourne. swiping the top spot. and-a-half. ginning of 2018. Gulf Times Monday, September 4, 2017 3 SPORT

FORMULA 1 CYCLING / VUELTA A ESPANA Froome withstands Hamilton takes weak Nibali attack to increase overall lead

Reuters his team and wrecking his bid to win Alto Hoya de la Mora, Spain the overall race. lead from Vettel Froome and his Sky teammates were determined not to make the same mis- hris Froome edged closer to takes again and on Sunday kept check Briton leads Bottas to one-two finish for Mercedes at Ferrari’s home track winning the Vuelta a Espana as on Nibali’s movements. he increased his overall advan- Nibali, who did not compete in this Reuters tage over Vincenzo Nibali to 61 year’s Tour de France, waited his turn to secondsC after surviving another pun- attack while Alberto Contador, Romain Monza, Italy ishing mountain stage yesterday. Bardet and Lopez formed a group ahead The Briton came fi fth in stage 15’s of Froome’s bunch. ewis Hamilton won the Italian mountain fi nish in the Sierra Ne- The Italian fi nally made his move Grand Prix for Mercedes yes- vada after a triple whammy of climbs, with 13km to go and opened up a terday with an utterly domi- 47 seconds behind Colombian stage 20-second gap with Froome’s group nant drive that sent the Briton winner Miguel Angel Lopez. Froome but could not keep it up and was soon Lclear at the top of the Formula One crossed the line six seconds ahead of caught, thus weakening his chances of world championship for the fi rst time Nibali, who fi nished seventh. grabbing the leader’s red jersey from in a year. Russian Ilnur Zakarin placed second, the Briton with six stages to go. The triple champion, who started 36 seconds behind Lopez, to move up to the last race of the European season third in the general classifi cation. STAGE 15 RESULTS from a record 69th career pole posi- Today is the second rest day of the 1. Miguel Angel Lopez (AST) 3:34:51 tion, led Finnish teammate Valtteri race, which continues tomorrow with 2. Ilnur Zakarin (KAT) +0:36 Bottas to a runaway one-two fi nish at the individual time trial, where Froome 3. Wilco Kelderman (SUN) +0:45 Ferrari’s home track. will be looking to strike another blow 4. Esteban Chaves (ORI) +0:47 “I love it here in Italy and I love the in his bid to become the fi rst rider in 39 5. Chris Froome (SKY) +0:47 passion of the fans,” Hamilton declared years to win the Tour de France and La 6. Michael Woods (CAN) +0:50 on the podium jutting out over a sea of Vuelta in the same season. 7. Vincenzo Nibali (BAH) +0:53 red-shirted Ferrari fans, with plenty of The stage, which fi nished at the Si- 8. Wouter Poels (SKY) +0:53 boos coming his way amid the cheers. erra Nevada ski station, featured two 9. Louis Meintjes (EAU) +0:53 “We did a great job, the team did fi rst category and one ‘outside catego- 10. Peio Bilbao (AST) +1:02 an exceptional job this weekend,” he ry’ climbs in the fi nal 70 kilometres. added. “Mercedes power is defi nitely The Sierra Nevada is commonly used OVERALL CLASSIFICATION better than Ferrari power.” by riders for altitude training, which 1. Chris Froome (SKY) 62:06:25 Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who had added another layer of diffi culty to the 2. Vincenzo Nibali (BAH) +1:01 led the standings since he won the stage, and Froome had said he had been 3. Ilnur Zakarin (KAT) +2:08 Australian season-opener in March, saving himself in Saturday’s climb up La 4. Wilco Kelderman (SUN) +2:11 fi nished third in the fi nal race of the Pandera for yesterday’s gruelling circuit. 5. Esteban Chaves (ORI) +2:39 European season and 36.3 seconds be- Froome had awful memories of last 6. Miguel Angel Lopez (AST) +2:51 hind the winner. Bottas was 4.4 adrift year’s Vuelta stage 15, when Alberto 7. Fabio Aru (AST) +3:24 of Hamilton. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Italian Grand Prix with the trophy on the podium alongside Ferrari’s Contador and eventual winner Nairo 8. Michael Woods (CAN) +3:26 “It was a diffi cult day, a cultdiffi start,” Sebastian Vettel in Monza yesterday. (Reuters) Quintana attacked from the starting 9. Alberto Contador (TRE) +3:59 said Vettel. “My race was fairly isolated, gun, leaving the Briton isolated from 10. Wouter Poels (SKY) +5:22 we tried to keep as close as possible but Vettel were level on points this year the Williams but then faded and fi n- nen fi fth. Stroll ended up seventh, one we simply didn’t have the pace. after China in April, with one win and ished sixth. place ahead of Massa, with Mexican “You could say it’s a bad day but I one second place each. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen moved Sergio Perez ninth for Force India. know the team is on the right way... If Sunday’s race was a dull aff air, up to fourth initially, to cheers from so I am in a very positive mood despite there was at least plenty of sunshine in the crowd, while compatriot Bottas ITALIAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS the numbers.” marked contrast to the steady rain that dropped to fi fth before swiftly regain- 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:15:32.310 Hamilton is now three points clear of drenched fans and delayed qualifying ing the place. 2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) +04.471 the German, with seven races remain- for hours on Saturday. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clashed 3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +36.317 ing. Mercedes are 62 points clear of Fer- Hamilton pulled away cleanly from with Brazilian Felipe Massa’s Williams 4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) +40.335 rari in the constructors’ standings. his historic pole, and fourth in a row in an incident that forced the Dutch 5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) +1:00.082 The fi rst driver to win two races in a at Monza, and was never challenged as teenager to pit with a puncture. 6. Esteban Ocon (Force India) +1:11.528 row this season, with Monza following he drove to the chequered fl ag with the Vettel meanwhile had started sixth 7. Lance Stroll (Williams) +1:14.156 on from Belgium a week ago, Hamilton minimum of fuss. but began to move up through the fi eld, 8. Felipe Massa (Williams) +1:14.834 now leads Vettel 6-4 on victories in It was his third Italian Grand Prix cheered every time by the throng of ‘ti- 9. Sergio Perez (Force India) +1:15.276 2017. He has 238 points to Vettel’s 235. win in four years and 59th career vic- fosi’ on the 70th anniversary of founder 10. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1 lap The last time Hamilton led the tory — only Michael Schumacher, Enzo Ferrari’s fi rst car, before settling DRIVERS’ STANDINGS (TOP 3) standings on his own was at Monza a whose pole record he beat, can boast into the loneliness of third place. 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 238pts year ago, with now-retired teammate more — and few have been more Hamilton meanwhile was relent- 2. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 235 Nico Rosberg emerging as the eventual straightforward. less, pulling away from the four times 3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 197 champion. Force India’s French rookie Esteban champion at a rate of almost a second CONSTRUCTORS’ STANDINGS (TOP 3) Ocon, chasing his fi rst podium fi nish, and lapping half the fi eld. 1. Mercedes 435pts FEW THRILLS grabbed second place off the line from Australian Daniel Ricciardo took 2. Ferrari 373 Hamilton and four-times champion 18-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll in fourth place for Red Bull, with Raikko- 3. Red Bull 212

Stewards were ‘having a Heineken’: angry Alonso The stewards at yesterday’s Italian messages to his McLaren team. He said: “When we arrived at the “It was not up to F1 standards. There Grand Prix were ‘having a Heineken’ The incident had enabled Palmer of chicane we were side-by-side... We is not an interpretation possible instead of watching the race prop- Renault to take 12th position in the braked late and I managed to take there. It is black and white, but erly, according to a furious Fernando race — which he refused to give back, the chicane, but he didn’t and he anyway, fighting for 16th and 17th, it Alonso. as is conventional when a driver cuts jumped it and stayed in front. doesn’t matter.” The two-time world champion was out a chicane. “Usually, that’s something that’s very Alonso was also forced into retire- referring to an incident in which The stewards eventually caught up clear in the rules — when two cars ment on the penultimate lap with Briton Jolyon Palmer passed him, by with events and gave Palmer a five- are side-by-side at the chicane and gearbox problems. cutting out the second chicane. second penalty before he retired with one gets to take it and one doesn’t, Palmer said he blamed Alonso for He believed the stewards misread the mechanical problems. When Alonso you give back the position — but this their incident at the chicane. incident and did not react appropri- learned of the Englishman’s exit, he time the FIA must have been having “I was ahead coming in, he braked Overall leader Sky’s British cyclist Christopher Froome waves as he celebrates his ately, launching into a tirade of radio told his team it was ‘karma’. a Heineken. super-late and forced me off the track.” red jersey on the podium for the 15th stage of the Vuelta a Espana in Alto Hoya de la Mora, Spain, yesterday. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Save the Dream promotes intercultural dialogue and peace at Imagine Peace Youth Camp

Agencies an integral part. At the end of the 3nd Ancient Olympia, Greece Imagine Peace Youth Camp, attendees will become the new and most dynamic members of the Olympic Truce family: s part of its ongoing eff orts our Ambassadors to their countries and to inspire young people, and communities. promote and protect the val- “By attending our Camp, it is clear ues of sport, Save the Dream that they have chosen the path of dia- reunitedA with the International Olym- logue, of understanding, of respecting pic Truce Centre (IOTC) and British each other’s opinions, the path towards Council this week to host the third edi- reconciliation. This is not a single in- tion of the Imagine Peace Youth Camp. stitution’s eff ort. A team of great peo- Bringing together young people from ple, coming from diff erent organisa- over 15 countries around the world, in- tions, worked closely for the success of cluding young peace activists selected this project. by Save the Dream coming from the “In that respect, I would like to cor- Mena region, the Imagine Peace Youth dially thank Save the Dream and per- Camp included a range of interactive sonally Mr. Pedro Velázquez for his educational workshops and sports ac- dedication and precious contribution tivities that aim to give participants to the success of the 3rd Imagine Peace aged 18-25 hope through sport, as well ing and peace building between diff er- activity, the two organisations are fur- play in sharing and celebrating diff er- people,” he added. Youth Camp.” as promoting equality and peace, and ent communities. ther strengthening the relationship by ent cultures and communities,” Pedro “We worked hard with our partners Save the Dream executive director the role of sport in peacefully resolving Building on last year’s event, which building together innovative youth vol- Velázquez, director of Social Innova- to present participants with an inno- Massimiliano Montanari concluded, confl ict. saw Save the Dream help young athletes unteering activities based on sport with tion and Empowerment at Save the vative programme; a programme that “As a partner of the UN Alliance of As part of this year’s event, Save from across the Mena Region take part, a focus on intercultural and inter-faith Dream, said. stimulates their active participation Civilization, we are fully committed the Dream led the educational mod- this year’s IPYC follows the successful dialogue, equality and peace, peace and “In addition, Save the Dream is de- and off ers them a unique educational to promoting mutual understanding ule called ‘Sport in building intercul- opening of a Save the Dream Chapter in confl ict resolution. lighted to be partnering again with the experience. And this is not a one-off across nations. We start from the val- tural understanding’, which included a , Greece, earlier this year. “By participating in the Imagine British Council and International Ol- attempt. This programme does not end ues of sport to build new leaders and two-hour workshop and a range of case The participation in the IPYC also Peace Youth Camp, Save the Dream ympic Truce Centre for the Imagine here,” IOTC director Constantinos Filis provide these agents of change with the study exercises to help educate young builds on the agreement signed in is delighted to share with young peo- Peace Youth Camp and strengthening said. right tools to help inspire other young people about the vital role sport can Times Square in 2015 by Save the ple the importance of sport, as well our relationship to promote and protect “There will be a long post-evalua- people in their own societies and at the play in enhancing cultural understand- Dream and IOTC. In addition to this as highlighting the vital role it can the importance of sport values to young tion process, of which they will also be international level.” Gulf Times 4 Monday, September 4, 2017 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Nottinghamshire win fi rst T20 Blast title Kohli steers India fi nal in July, Nottinghamshire are the AFP Birmingham, United Kingdom fi rst side to complete England’s lim- ited-overs double since Hampshire in 2012. arry Gurney starred as Not- Notts had been in big trouble when tinghamshire held on to England seam bowler Chris Woakes beat Warwickshire by 22 reduced them to 30-3, taking the big runs to win the English T20 of his international team- to 5-0 whitewash BlastH for the fi rst time at Edgbaston mate , Riki Wessels and on Saturday. . After a shaky start fi rst, But Zimbabwean batsman Taylor (64 ) and Brendan teamed up with England all-rounder Taylor (65) powered Notts to a Patel to compile a crucial fourth- match-winning total of 190-4. partnership of 132. Warwickshire, playing in front of a Taylor, who retired from interna- raucous crowd at their home ground tional cricket to forge a county career, over Sri Lanka in Birmingham, also lost early wick- holed out off De Grandhomme in the ets though, and despite a brilliant 72 penultimate over, but Australian Dan from young batsman Sam Hain, ulti- Christian pummelled the fi nal four Series win comes after India swept preceding three-Test rubber 3-0 mately fell well short. balls of the for 20 runs. Former England international The unlucky bowler was Warwick- bowler Gurney was the shire paceman Oli Stone, who bowled hero for Nottinghamshire, as he took four wicketless overs for 50 runs, 4-17 from his four overs with a mix of having starred with 3-29 in the semi- slower balls and cutters. fi nal 11-run win over Glamorgan ear- Hain put on 55 with big-hitting lier in the day. New Zealander Colin de Grand- Nottinghamshire had seen off homme, but Gurney dismissed them Hampshire by 23 runs in the second both to leave the lower order with too semi, with left-armer Gurney and much to do. both taking three Having also won the One-Day Cup wickets.

CHANGES Australia captain Smith says wicketkeeper Wade could be axed

Reuters good job,” Smith added. Melbourne Wade managed nine runs from his two innings in the fi rst Test and also had a poor series with the bat against ustralia captain Steve Smith India in February and March. Indian cricket team poses for photographs after winning the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday. (Reuters) has said wicketkeeper Queries have also dogged number Matthew Wade could be three batsman Usman Khawaja, who AFP Yuzvendra Chahal, his 100th in ODIs. axed from the second Test failed twice in Dhaka and Smith de- Dhoni became the fi rst to achieve againstA Bangladesh in Chittagong af- clined to guarantee the lefthander a Colombo the feat, surpassing former Sri Lankan ter failing to do enough with the bat. place at Chittagong. wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara who Australia were upset by 20 runs in Selectors will make at least one irat Kohli hit his second cen- had 99 stumpings to his credit. the opening Test in Dhaka, triggering change after fast bowler Josh Hazle- tury in a row as India thrashed a storm of criticism from local media wood returned home injured. Sri Lanka by six wickets in the SCORECARD and heaping pressure on Wade who Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe was fi fth one-day international SRI LANKA has struggled for runs since replacing drafted into the squad and could be Vyesterday to infl ict a humiliating 5-0 Peter Nevill during the home series included as a third spinner along with N. Dickwella c & b Kumar 2 series defeat on the beleaguered hosts. U. Tharanga c Dhoni b Bumrah 48 against South Africa. Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar if selec- Kohli smashed nine fours in his un- D. Munaweera c Kohli b Kumar 4 Smith said it was possible selec- tors decide to go with only one pace- beaten 110-run knock to help the visi- L. Thirimanne b Kumar 67 tors could elect to throw the gloves man on a pitch expected to off er turn. tors achieve the target of 239 with 21 A. Mathews c Dhoni b Yadav 55 to batsman Peter Handscomb for the Australia were accused by home balls to spare at the R. Premadasa sta- M. Siriwardana c Thakur b Kumar 18 match starting today. media of failing to give Bangladesh dium in Colombo. H. de Silva run out 9 “It certainly would be a tough call proper respect after their defeat, The series win came after India A. Dananjaya st Dhoni b Chahal 4 (on Wade). I think when we are look- with selectors criticised for picking a swept the preceding three-Test rubber M. Pushpakumara b Bumrah 8 ing at Matty we just need a little bit ‘project’ player in Agar. 3-0, capping their domination of the V. Fernando not out 7 more from him with the bat in par- Smith was also questioned for say- home side which has been beset by in- L. Malinga c sub b Kumar 2 ticular,” Smith told reporters. ing before the series that Agar was jury and selection woes. Extras (b4, lb3, nb1, w6) 14 “And he knows this, he knows that picked in favour of the more senior This was India’s second 5-0 white- Total (all out; 49.4 overs) 238 he has to do a little bit better with the O’Keefe because he was seen as a wash in an away ODI series with Kohli’s Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Dickwella), 2-40 bat. And he’s had those conversa- candidate to take on India in the sub- men having blanked Zimbabwe in 2013. (Munaweera), 3-63 (Tharanga), 4-185 tions. So it’ll just depend which way continent in four years. Sri Lanka squandered the opportu- India captain Virat Kohli (left) celebrates with teammate MS Dhoni after their win in (Thirimanne), 5-194 (Mathews), 6-205 we want to go on the balance of the “I was open about that,” Smith nity to salvage some pride, folding up the final ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) (de Silva), 7-212 (Dananjaya), 8-228 team as well. said, defending his comments. for a below-par 238 in 49.4 overs after (Pushpakumara), 9-228 (Siriwardana), “(Handscomb) certainly has kept “I don’t think at any point we re- paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar grabbed KOHLI, DHONI MILESTONES imanne and Mathews had a good part- 10-238 (Malinga) and we’ve seen him keep before and ally said that we weren’t concentrat- a career-best 5-42. The right-hander went on to complete nership. At one stage we were looking at Bowling: Kumar 9.4-0-42-5, Thakur 6-0- he’s done a good job, so, if we go that ing on this tour. I don’t think that was “It’s quite amazing to have won his 30th ODI , equalling former 260-270. Unfortunately we collapsed 48-0, Bumrah 10-0-45-2, Yadav 10-0-40- way we are confi dent that he will do a ever the case.” the series 5-0. We always thought the Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s tally. again. 1, Jadhav 4-0-20-0, Chahal 10-0-36-1 shorter format is going to be much Only Indian great Sachin Tendulkar “We have to improve all three de- more challenging,” said Kohli. has scored more centuries in the 50- partments, especially our batting. We INDIA “The youngsters and the spunk on over game with 49 tons. couldn’t get those big scores in all fi ve R. Sharma c Pushpakumara b Fernando 16 the fi eld has worked for us. All round, Earlier, Kumar made the most of the games. We lost a few main players, but A. Rahane c Munaweera b Malinga 5 it’s been a complete series for us. We’ve conditions, reducing Sri Lanka to 40-2 still as a captain I feel we didn’t play to V. Kohli not out 110 been playing some good cricket.” before Lahiru Thirimanne (67) and our standard.” M. Pandey c Tharanga b Pushpakumara 36 The Indians had a shaky start but Angelo Mathews stitched together a Mathews gave an easy catch to wick- K. Jadhav c Dickwella b de Silva 63 Kohli anchored the innings with a 99- 122-run stand for the fourth wicket to etkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off M.S. Dhoni not out 1 run partnership with Manish Pandey steady the innings. spinner Kuldeep Yadav (1-40) after Extras (lb4, nb1, w3) 8 (36) for the third wicket. The dismissal of the two set batsmen making 55 off 98 deliveries. Total (for four wkts; 46.3 overs) 239 He also put on 109 runs with Kedar triggered a collapse that saw the hosts Thirimanne, who hit three fours and Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Rahane), 2-29 Jadhav who scored a fi ne 63 off 73 balls. lose seven wickets for 53 runs. a six in his 102-ball knock, was bowled (Sharma), 3-128 (Pandey), 4-237 (Jadhav) Kohli, 28, looked in sublime form, “It is a very diffi cult time for us. We by Kumar, the man of the match. Bowling: Malinga 8-1-35-1, Fernando hitting Milinda Siriwardana for three were not up to the standard,” said Sri Dhoni passed a career milestone 7-0-40-1, Dananjaya 10-0-49-0, Math- fours in an over to bring up his half- Lankan skipper Upul Tharanga. when he Akila Dananjaya ews 3-0-14-0, Pushpakumara 10-0-40-1, century. “We lost a few early wickets. Thir- (four) off the bowling of leg-spinner Siriwardana 4-0-28-0, de Silva 4.3-0-29-1

BOTTOMLINE Australia mull three-pronged spin attack for Bangladesh

AFP Smith told reporters in Chittagong. Chittagong, Bangladesh “Obviously Bangladesh did that against us last week. If the wicket is spin- ning it’s really a good option and there is a ustralian captain Steve Smith possibility we go on with that.” said yesterday he was consid- Bangladesh skipper Mushfi qur Ra- ering fi elding three spinners him said his men would go all out for in the must-win Test against another win against the former world BangladeshA after their shock loss on a number one Test side. turning wicket in the series opener. “There is no way we will play safe Australia suff ered their rst-everfi . Whichever team we play now, defeat against Bangladesh last week and we play against them for win. We will are desperate to restore some lost pride do whatever it takes us for making it when the teams meet in the second and 2-0,” Mushfi qur said. fi nal Test starting in Chittagong today. Australia risk dropping to sixth in Test Bangladesh, ranked ninth in the ICC rankings if they lose the second Test. Test rankings to Australia’s fourth, are Bangladesh came agonisingly close hoping to shed their underdog status to beating England in Chittagong last with a series sweep against Smith’s men. year when they needed 33 runs on the Overcoming the home team’s spin- fi fth day with two wickets in hand. ners is one of Australia’s biggest chal- Ben Stokes took the last two wickets lengess. to win the match for England but Bang- All but one of Australia’s 20 wickets spinner Steve O’Keefe for the injured training session Sunday and preventing ladesh won the second match to tie the in the series opener fell to spin, and Josh Hazlewood and could play him an inspection of the wicket. But the skip- series. the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium alongside their frontline spinners per hinted at fi elding a spin attack. The only two times Bangladesh have pitch in Chittagong is expected to fa- Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar. “I think the inclusion of O’Keefe into swept a series were against an under- vour slow bowling. Smith said no fi nal decisions had been the squad is a good one. It gives us the strength West Indies side in 2009 and Australia have recalled left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe to the side for the Test in Australia have recalled left-arm made, with rain interrupting their last option to play three spinners if we like,” against a struggling Zimbabwe in 2014. Chittagong, which starts today. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, September 4, 2017 5 SPORT

MLB NBA Camp roster will require higher Dodgers lose twin bill math for Heat

By Ira Winderman Sun Sentinel

s some of the Mi- to Padres; Darvish ami Heat’s off sea- son moves already have shown, there no longerA is straight line between fi lling a 20-player training- camp roster and then making the fi nal cut to 15 by the season opener. continues to struggle Not with the NBA’s new re- ality that makes stocking camp ‘Yu will admit that he hasn’t thrown the way he’s going to throw for us’ rosters a signifi cant element of also stocking developmental- By Andy McCullough league rosters. Los Angeles Times In fact, with the Heat already with 17 players on their camp roster, they actually fi nd them- u Darvish stared at his selves one roster spot short cleats as he fi nished the of the maximum manoeu- worst inning of his brief, vrability, assuring of at least confounding career as a one additional move after the LosY Angeles Dodger. 20-player camp roster is set. The Miami Heat’s Rodney His team would play 18 in- The reason for that com- McGruder with a soaring dunk nings of baseball and lose twice plex math: In addition to the against Toronto Raptors at the in Saturday’s doubleheader, but 15-player maximum on NBA AmericanAirlines Arena in Mi- no inning mattered more than regular-season rosters, teams ami on March 23, 2017. (Charles the third of the nightcap. After also for the fi rst time are al- Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS) surrendering four runs during lowed to carry two two-way a stretch when six consecutive players, who mostly will limited to a 20-player off sea- Padres reached base, Darvish bide their time in the NBA G son roster, expect moves simi- trudged into his dugout midway League, in the Heat’s case the lar to last season’s camp, when through a 7-2 loss. Sioux Falls Skyforce. the Heat kept Keith Benson A month ago, when the Dodg- However, teams also are al- and Stefan Jankovic for most of ers acquired Darvish from Texas lowed to directly assign up to camp before subbing them out minutes before the July 31 trade four “affi liate” players from late in camp with Vashil Fern- deadline, the trade elicited ex- training camp to their G League andez and Luis Montero, with hilaration among his new team- team after those players are cut all four then funnelled to Sioux mates. Now the group gave him during training camp (pro- Falls. space. Clayton Kershaw patted vided none of those players has “How you populated your Darvish on the back as Darvish received more than $50,000 in NBA roster will then determine disappeared into the clubhouse. camp guarantees). how you approach maybe the The excitement about Darvish’s It is math that allows teams last couple of spots,” Elisburg arrival has been overtaken by to essentially control 21 players said, with the Heat currently confusion about his performance. from their camp rosters, even with three openings. He has thrown so many bullpen though those rosters are lim- “But you’re also in a mind to sessions that his manager can- ited to 20. bring in players who also pop- not keep track of his schedule. What it means is that the ulate to the G League roster.” The extra work is not superfl uous. Heat likely will sign a player for All the while, Elisburg said Under pitching coach Rick Hon- camp, waive that player during camp also provides the oppor- eycutt’s guidance, Darvish has camp for a replacement, and tunity to turn heads, change been reshaping his mechanics to then have four players that had minds. resemble the he utilised been on their training-camp Last fall, for example, Rod- before undergoing elbow recon- The San Diego Padres celebrate a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports roster to assign to the Skyforce. ney McGruder went from struction in 2015. The diff erence is that unlike seeming longshot to emerg- The process has not been early lead. Cody Bellinger broke deadlock only lasted two batters eycutt had studied video of San Diego second baseman Carlos the two two-way players, or ing with the fi nal roster berth seamless, as Darvish allowed a tie in the fourth inning with a in the bottom of the ninth. Baez Darvish’s tenure with the Rang- Asuaje hit a 96-mph fastball over players from the fi nal 15-player ahead of Beno Udrih and Bri- fi ve runs in three-plus innings solo home run off Padres pitcher threw a belt-high 96-mph fast- ers. He noticed how Darvish’s arm the fence in right. NBA roster who eventually ante Weber. on Saturday night. Earlier in the Clayton Richard. It was Bell- ball to Solarte, who powered it slot had become more elevated af- Darvish gave up three singles in could be sent down for season- “You can sign players and day, the Dodgers dropped a 6-5 inger’s 35th homer of the sea- over the right-fi eld fence. ter he returned from Tommy John a row, including an infi eld hit for ing, affi liate players are free to may say he may be going more decision when Pedro Baez served son, which tied Mike Piazza for Despite a 1.94 earned-run surgery in 2016. The alteration Aybar when Darvish missed the be claimed by any other NBA to the G League roster than up a walk-off homer to Padres the franchise record for a rookie. average, Baez’s peripheral num- defanged his slider, which many bag while covering fi rst base and team while in the G League. the NBA roster,” Elisburg said, shortstop Yangervis Solarte. Bellinger had not homered since bers are troubling, and the team scouts consider the most eff ective an RBI single for fi rst baseman For Heat general manager “and then when they play, they Concern about Darvish, though, August 12, a drought extended will more likely lean on Brandon of his off speed pitches. Hector Sanchez. Andy Elisburg it creates dual wind up earning a spot on the will linger beyond Saturday. His by his recent stint on the 10- Morrow as Kenley Jansen’s pri- Honeycutt suggested Darvish responsibilities in building a NBA roster. I think that’s the earned-run average after fi ve day disabled list because of a mary setup man. lower his elbow, which would RESULTS camp roster. unknown of what happens starts as a Dodger rose to 4.50. sprained ankle. The events of the nightcap create a better angle on the slid- Yankees 5 Red Sox 1 “You’re aware of both when you have the competi- “Yu will admit that he hasn’t The expanded roster off ered carried more weight than the day er. In his fi rst game back from the Astros 12 Mets 8 (Game 1) things,” he said. “You’re popu- tion.” thrown the way he’s going to Roberts a slew of understud- game. For Darvish, the transi- disabled list, Darvish struck out Astros 4 Mets 1 (2nd game) lating your traditional 15-man Ultimately, expect a fl uid throw for us,” manager Dave ies to use. Brock Stewart started tion to Los Angeles has not been seven Brewers on August 27. But Twins 17 Royals 0 roster and a 10-man G League process over the next six weeks. Roberts said before the game. the game, ran up his pitch count seamless. He struck out 10 Mets he lasted only fi ve innings and Cubs 14 Braves 12 roster. And so you’re aware “I think you’re going to see Roberts rolled out a lineup with four walks and exited after in his Dodgers debut, and struck gave up three runs. He was inef- Angels 7 Rangers 4 (10 innings) of how you’re kind of dealing signings up to training camp,” for the fi rst game that belonged four innings of one-run baseball. out 10 more against Arizona in fi cient and permitted six hits. Diamondbacks 6 Rockies 2 with both rosters, and utilising Elisburg said. in the Cactus League. O’Koyea Wilmer Font, Stewart’s re- his next outing. He did not make progress on Marlins 10 Phillies 9 that period of time to deal with “You’re going to see sign- Dickson made his big league de- placement on the mound, gave On August 16, though, in an Saturday. The game did not start Padres 6 Dodgers 5 (Game 1) both rosters.” ings throughout training camp. but in the left fi eld. Alex Verdu- up two runs in the sixth in his odd outing against the White well for Darvish. He hung a fi rst- Padres 7 Dodgers 2 It is why the Heat’s fi nal You’re going to see signings go, a 21-year-old rookie, started fi rst big league outing since 2013. Sox, Darvish struck out a career- inning slider to shortstop Erick Indians 5 Tigers 2 camp roster might not neces- the last week or two of training in centre for the second game in Josh Ravin yielded two more low two batters and felt his back Aybar, who hit a double on a line Nationals 3 Brewers 2 sarily feature the best available camp, maybe last day or two of a row. Rob Segedin replaced Jus- in the seventh. Turner came tighten up during the game. The drive that Verdugo dove for and Giants 2 Cardinals 1 (10 innings) talent, but rather a pool that the preseason, of players who tin Turner at third base. off the bench in the ninth to tie Dodgers placed him on the 10- missed. Aybar scored two batters Blue Jays 7 Orioles 2 also could benefi t the team’s will be joining the roster, who Enrique Hernandez started the score by crushing a hanging day disabled list. later on a groundout. White Sox 5 Rays 4 developmental program. will be probably working their at shortstop and batted third. slider from Padres All-Star Brad During his time off , Darvish The third inning was a mess. Pirates 5 Reds 0 As for the math, of being able way to various developmental- The Dodgers still surged to an Hand for a two-run homer. The tinkered with his delivery. Hon- A one-run lead evaporated when Mariners 7 Athletics 6 to control 21 players but being league teams.

NFL Vance doing whatever it takes to catch up with Steelers

By Gerry Dulac “We’re here to win a cham- contract extension in December here,” McDonald said. “I’m Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pionship, that’s all I’ve heard,” that included $16 million guar- ready to get things rolling.” McDonald said. “We’ll do what- anteed. A second-round draft So far, it has been something ever it takes.” pick in 2013 who started 30 of of a whirlwind for McDonald. He he Steelers search to fi nd McDonald appeared for 15 48 games, McDonald was having was with the 49ers for a presea- a capable replacement snaps in the preseason fi nale the best season of his career in son game Sunday night in Min- for tight end Heath Mill- Thursday night in Carolina, but 2016 – 30 catches, 391 yards and neapolis, fl ew back on the team er is in phase two with he was never targeted with a four touchdowns – before end- charter and landed at 4am in San Tthe trade for Vance McDonald. pass. He did a lot of that in pre- ing the year on injured reserve. Francisco, and got a call in the They hope it goes better than game warmups with quarterback But the 49ers had a regime morning from Lynch saying he what happened on their fi rst at- Ben Roethlisberger – running change in the off ense, bringing was being traded to the Steelers. tempt with Ladarius Green. underneath routes and showing in Kyle Shanahan as coach and “Your mindset is immediately McDonald, acquired for a 2018 a natural ease catching the ball John Lynch as general manager. ramping into what needs to get fourth-round draft choice Tues- in stride. Curiously, he was not That, coupled with the progress done,” McDonald said. “The Steelers day, had nearly as many catches known in San Francisco for hav- of rookie tight end George Kittle, reached out to me, and I had play- (64) in four seasons with the San ing dependable hands. doomed McDonald. “They’re book in my hand within one hour.” Francisco 49ers as Green did in Roethlisberger said it was too defi nitely in a rebuild mode,” McDonald didn’t waste any four previous seasons with the early to evaluate his new tight McDonald said. time. He packed a suitcase and San Diego Chargers (78). But he end – “I threw with him before Being the subject of trade talks headed for his new team, landing is not the long, down-the-fi eld the game, that’s all I know,” he and wondering if he would be 1am Tuesday in Pittsburgh. He type of tight end who looks more said – but added he’s “excited” to shipped to another team is noth- accompanied the team to Char- like a big wide receiver. start to work with him when the ing new for McDonald. He has lotte, N.C., for a last-second, 17- McDonald is a thick 6-foot-5, Steelers resume practice Mon- heard the rumours, some not so 14 victory. Instead of returning 267-pounder who is all tight end day in preparation for the season secret, for at least the past year, to San Francisco to pick up more – square-jawed, chiselled arms, opener September 10 in Cleve- once while at his brother’s wed- belongings, McDonald said he big hands. And he is a more land. Roethlisberger should get ding. Even Steelers general man- will spend the holiday weekend complete tight end than Green plenty of chances to throw to him ager Kevin Colbert acknowl- at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex – more like a Heath Miller type during games. The Steelers plan edged as much, saying “Vance “kind of getting ahead on Week 1.” – because he can as well as to use McDonald in tandem with has been available, off and on, “I have a rock-star wife, and he can run. Jesse James as soon as possible, since the draft last year.” This she’s handling everything,” Mc- Hopefully, he can get on the and he eventually could become time, Colbert said the 49ers’ Donald said. “I’m lucky to have fi eld more than Green, whose their No. 1 tight end. trade talks “intensifi ed,” and the her.” That’s the way the Steelers career with the Steelers consist- McDonald looked as though Steelers made the deal, getting a feel about McDonald. Hopefully, ed of six games and 18 catches he was on track to be the same 2018 fi fth-round pick in addition this attempt to strengthen their because of recurring problems with the 49ers, especially after to McDonald in the trade. tight-end position will work with concussion symptoms. he signed a fi ve-year, $35 million “So, fast forward, now I’m better than the previous one. Gulf Times 6 Monday, September 4, 2017 SPORT

GOLF LPGA Lewis three clear aft er three rounds Rahm has ‘nearly world number three Ariya Ju- The Sports Xchange Portland tanugarn, she is seeking her fi rst career victory. Chun In-gee of South Ko- merican Stacy Lewis rea, who started the day in a continued her siz- three-way tie for the lead, had zling play and will three birdies and 15 pars for a take a three-shot three-under 69 that left her perfect’ back nine leadA into the fi nal round of the four shots off the pace. LPGA Cambia Portland Clas- Canadian teenager Brooke sic in Portland, Oregon. Henderson, who opened with Lewis rode a fl urry of early a pair of 67s to share the sec- birdies to take control of the ond-round lead, faltered Sat- tournament en route to shoot- urday. ing a seven-under-par 65 in She bogeyed two of the fi rst Saturday’s third round. three holes and had a double for Boston lead She is at 17-under 199, three bogey on the ninth to shoot 74 clear of Thailand’s Moriya Ju- and fall nine shots off the lead. ‘I played a nearly perfect back nine. Felt like I didn’t miss a shot. Once that (eagle) tanugarn. Seeking her fi rst victory Leading third-round scores happened on 18 I felt everything clicked and I just started flushing everything’ since 2014, Lewis is planning 199 - Stacy Lewis 70-64-65 on donating her winnings 202 - Moriya Jutanugarn Reuters from the event to the relief (THA) 67-69-66 Norton, Massachusetts eff orts for Hurricane Harvey. 203 - Chun In-Gee (KOR) 66- She moved to Houston as a 68-69 youngster and her husband is 205 - Brittany Altomare 69- ig-hitting Jon Rahm the women’s golf coach at the 70-66 jump-started his day University of Houston. 206 - Gaby Lopez (MEX) 69- with an eagle and cata- Lewis surged into a three- 73-64, Nicole Broch Larsen pulted into a two-stroke way tie atop the leaderboard (DEN) 67-72-67, Chella Choi leadB after the second round at with a bogey-free 64 on Friday (KOR) 71-67-68 the Dell Technologies Cham- and continued her blistering 207 - Megan Khang 69-72-66, pionship in Massachusetts on play in the third round with Gerina Piller 69-72-66, Dori Saturday. birdies on fi ve of the fi rst eight Carter 69-71-67, Candie Kung Rahm sank his eagle putt from holes. A runner-up in Portland (TPE) 68-69-70, Nasa Hataoka 12 feet at the par-fi ve 18th, his a year ago, Lewis put her in (JPN) 67-70-70 ninth hole, and then added fi ve prime position to end the vic- 208 - Lee Mi-Rim (KOR) 70- birdies on his inward half for a tory drought. 72-66, Beth Allen 71-69-68, fi ve-under-par 66 at TPC Bos- Jutanugarn matched the fast Hsu Wei-Ling (TPE) 69-71-68, ton in Norton. start by Lewis, also registering Tiff any Joh 71-68-69, Wicha- “It felt like very diff erent, birdies on fi ve of the fi rst eight nee Meechai (THA) 68-71-69, that front nine and back nine,” holes in her round of 66. Ai Miyazato (JPN) 69-67-72, the Spaniard told reporters after The LPGA Tour Rookie of Brooke M. Henderson (CAN) posting a nine-under 133 half- the Year in 2013 and sister of 67-67-74. way total in the second of the PGA Tour’s four FedExCup play- off events. I played a nearly per- fect back nine. Felt like I didn’t Pacquiao wants Horn rematch miss a shot. Once that (eagle) happened on 18 I felt everything in the Philippines clicked and I just started fl ushing Manny Pacquiao said yes- bout but the WBO declared everything.” terday he was still wanted Horn the clear winner after Englishman Paul Casey and a rematch with Jeff Horn a panel of judges re-scored Canadian Adam Hadwin shot after the Filipino boxing hero the fight. 65 to jump into a share of sec- pulled out of their scheduled Now in the twilight of a ond place on seven-under with John Rahm of Spain plays his shot during round two of the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP) bout in Australia later his 22-year professional career, Americans Kevin Streelman (65) year. Pacquiao has not stopped and Kyle Stanley (68). South African Porteous wins Czech Masters Queensland’s premier, whose an opponent in eight years World number one Dustin state government was the and briefly quit boxing last Johnson, the fi rst round leader, South African Haydn Porteous claimed his the belt just feels amazing.” It was the first After a three-under front nine of 33, back-to- financial backer of a Novem- year to pursue his long-held backtracked with a 72 that in- first win in Europe yesterday by beating tournament in the race to qualify for Thomas back bogeys saw him slip into a tie for the ber 12 fight, announced on political ambitions and was cluded two double-bogeys, falling England’s Lee Slattery in the final round of Bjorn’s 2018 European Ryder Cup side, but lead with four holes to play. Friday that Pacquiao “cannot elected senator. fi ve shots off the pace. Johnson the Czech Masters by two shots. most of the continent’s big guns were in But 39-year-old Slattery, looking for a third return to the ring” due to But he quickly made a suc- leads the FedExCup standings af- The world number 389 Porteous, whose only the United States for the PGA Tour’s FedEx Tour win, faltered with a bogey after finding other commitments. cessful comeback against ter winning last week’s Northern previous European Tour win came in Johan- Cup play-off s. In their absence, the final day a fairway bunker on the par-four 15th. “It will not push through Jessie Vargas in November, Trust tournament. Former world nesburg last year, overhauled overnight boiled down to a straight fight between Porteous appeared to have all but wrapped there in Australia. But we are saying he still felt like a number one Rory McIlroy’s disap- leader Slattery to take the title with a three- Porteous and Slattery. up the title with a stunning shot to two feet bringing the fight here in the youngster. pointing season continued as he under-par final round of 69 for a 13-under to- Tom Lewis posted a clubhouse target of 10 on the par-three 16th hole, but Slattery made Philippines,” Pacquiao said Pacquiao has defied calls shot 74 for four-over and missed tal. “It’s been a really torrid time through the under par for the tournament, but had to a clutch birdie putt to stay just one shot on radio station DZBB, adding to retire for good, including the cut in a tournament where he last eight, nine months and I’ve really started settle for a tie for third with 847th-ranked behind. Both players made par on the penul- negotiations were ongoing. from his family and celebrat- was defending champion. doing the right things and slowly but surely Swede Pontus Widegren. Porteous started timate green but Slattery made a mess of the “This will be good for our ed American trainer Freddie The Northern Irishman has the golf has got a little bit better,” Porteous the round two strokes adrift of Slattery, but 18th hole to give Porteous some breathing country’s tourism.” Roach. get to win this year. Another told europeantour.com. erased the deficit with birdies at each of the space, and an excellent two-putt sealed the Pacquiao, 38, had initially Pacquiao dismissed funding former world number one, Adam “To get my second European Tour win under first two holes. 23-year-old’s victory. called for a rematch after concerns about hosting the Scott, also bowed out early at losing his World Boxing multi-million dollar fight in four-over after the long trip Organisation welterweight the Philippines. from his native Australia earlier BMW Championship at Conway mediocre performances in the gle steadied the ship, and it was 68, Kevin Streelman 70-65 title to the 29-year-old on “We have lots of friends who in the week. Scott made a late Farms in Lake Forest, Illinois in four majors. smooth sailing thereafter as he 136 - Grayson Murray 68-68, Phil points Horn in a major upset are supporting us including decision to play following the two weeks. Rahm will have no He did not make an auspicious stormed home in 31 strokes. Mickelson 69-67, Bryson DeCham- in Brisbane on July 2. our tourism (department). birth of his second child. He can such problems advancing. He start on Saturday, and a double- beau 69-67, Marc Leishman (AUS) Pacquiao, who has won world “The president is giving his head back home now, because he is fi fth in the FedExCup stand- bogey at his seventh hole, where Leading second-round scores 67-69, 137 - Hudson Swaff ord 69- titles in an unprecedented all-out support,” Pacquiao will not be among the 70 players ings in his fi rst full professional he took four shots to hole out 133 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 67-66 68, Justin Rose (ENG) 72-65, Kevin eight weight divisions, had said referring to his political to advance to the penultimate season that includes one win on from just off the green, left him 135 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 70-65, Na 68-69, Patrick Cantlay 69-68, demanded a review of the ally Rodrigo Duterte. event in the playoff series, the either side of the Atlantic but two-over for the day. But the ea- Paul Casey 70-65, Kyle Stanley 67- Jordan Spieth 72-65.

EURO France cruise past Iceland for second win

DPA bia dropped to 1-1. while Finland’s 20-year-old Tel Aviv “For us it was important to re- ace Lauri Markkanen had 24 cover after yesterday’s emotion- points. al victory, and we took this game The fi rst Group A game saw rance took care of busi- as underdogs and I think it was Poland beat Iceland 91-61 with ness with a dominating the right attitude to do it,” Rus- Adam Waczynski scoring 15 115-79 victory over Ice- sia coach Sergey Bazarevic said. points Group B has two unde- land yesterday for their Latvia picked up their fi rst feated teams as both Germany secondF win in Group A of FIBA victory in the group as New York and Italy booked second wins. EuroBasket 2017. Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis Dennis Schroder tallied 23 paced the and Janis Timma both scored 27 points as Germany beat Georgia 2013 champions with 16 points points in a 92-64 win over Bel- 67-57 to move to 2-0 with Robin while Edwin Jackson and Kevin gium. Belgium dropped to 0-2 Benzing chipping in 11 points a Seraphin both chipped in 14 despite 12 points from Axel Her- day after becoming a father. points as every France player velle. Zaza Pachulia had 14 points scored and grabbed at least one Group D hosts Turkey also but they were not enough as . booked their fi rst win with an Georgia fell to 1-1. Marco Be- Les Bleus improved to 2-1 in 84-70 victory over winless linelli drained six of Italy’s 17 the group in Helsinki after an Great Britain, Melih Mahmu- three-pointers in scoring 26 opening day loss to Finland. Ice- toglu leading the way with 24 points in a 78-66 win over land got 23 points from Jon Ste- points and adding Ukraine to move to 2-0 while fansson but they were not enough 19 points. Gabe Olaseni had 15 Ukraine are winless at 0-2. as the team dropped to 0-3. points and 14 rebounds in the Lithuania got their fi rst tri- Russia continued their excel- loss for the British. umph of the group in knocking lent FIBA EuroBasket 2017 with a France did a good job bounc- off hosts Israel 86-73. Edgaras surprise win over Serbia on Sat- ing back from their opening Ulanovas had 18 points and NBA urday while France bounced back Group A loss to Finland by beat- center Jonas Valanciunas picked from an opening day loss and ing Greece 95-87. Evan Fournier up 11 points and 10 rebounds in Croatia, Germany, Italy, Slovenia had 21 points while Joff rey Lau- the win. and Spain all moved to 2-0. vergne collected 21 points and Richard Howell’s 20 points Russia followed up their vic- 11 rebounds in getting the 2013 were not enough to keep Israel tory over Turkey with a 75-72 champions to 1-1 in the group. from remaining winless. win against the Serbians with Greece are now 1-1 as well de- In Group C, reigning cham- Aleksei Shved scoring 22 points spite Kostas Sloukas and Nick pions Spain rolled once again to lead the way in Group D in Is- Calathes both picking up 15 by beating Czech Republic 93- tanbul. points. Group A fi nished with 56 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Bogdan Bogdanovic and another thriller as Slovenia Pau Gasol collected 26 points Boban Marjanovic both had 19 moved to 2-0 after beating hosts and eight rebounds in just 20 points in the loss as the FIBA Finland 81-78. minutes and Ricky Rubio had 17 Basketball World Cup 2014 and Retiring Goran Dragic once points in moving Spain to 2-0 in 2016 Olympics runners-up Ser- again led Slovenia with 29 points the group. France’s Joff ery Lauvergne (L) and Iceland’s Hordur Vilhjalmsson vie for the ball during the 2017 FIBA Eurobasket match in Helsinki. (AFP) Gulf Times Monday, September 4, 2017 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Tevez’s big-money move to China an expensive mistake Shenhua fans have been left to wonder whether the Argentinian is worth his enormous Carlos Tevez has scored salary after a series of ineff ectual displays just twice in the Chinese Super League since his By John Duerden home Asian Champions League play-off against move in December. (AFP) The Guardian Brisbane Roar. He was as ineff ectual as the team were imbalanced. Brisbane won 2-0. Any hopes of concentrating on the domestic My contract is very complex and it’s very league did not last long. Despite a 4-0 victory diffi cult for me to return (to Boca Jun- and a good performance on the opening day, iors),” Carlos Tevez reportedly said to Ar- there followed one point from the next three gentinian media last week. games. Displays were equally poor. And then ““The Chinese are not stupid.” Not stupid, but Tevez was injured. there are plenty at Shanghai Shenhua wonder- Without him, Shanghai won the next two, ing whether signing the forward was a major producing their best showing of the season at mistake and a waste of money. Changchun. Questions would have been asked Reports quoting weekly salary fi gures of had the media not been distracted by the sight £634,000 to make Tevez the highest-paid play- of Tevez visiting Shanghai Disneyland with his er in the world in the pre-Neymar days of last family on the same day his teammates were December may have been exaggerated, accord- working hard far away in the north-east. “What ing to the man himself, but there is no doubt is the matter with you?” went one headline. If that the 33-year-old is receiving a pay packet Tevez, on a two-year contract, had been playing heavier than rush-hour Shanghai traffi c. well, then it would have been a smaller deal. Any Yet instead of getting a hero to spearhead the honeymoon period ended there and then. team’s bid for a fi rst title since 1995 (the 2003 Once fi t, he was always going to come back win was struck off for match-fi xing, and there into the team but his infl uence has been lim- were eight second places from 1991 to 2008 ited. He has missed half of Shenhua’s 22 games, when a missed Hamilton Ricard penalty was scored two goals – one from the penalty spot the diff erence), many of Shenhua’s loyal fans – and the team sit 11th out of 16. Tevez was ex- have taken to social media in the past week or pected to provide dynamism, energy and spark two to express indiff erence over whether Tevez in attack but it has not happened. He has strug- returned from a trip to Argentina. He went back gled off the pitch too, with almost constant ru- to Buenos Aires early in August to recover from mours that he is unsettled. Tevez claimed there another injury and returned to Shanghai just were only two restaurants in Manchester but before the month ended. nobody could say the same of China’s commer- Shenhua fans have given him a nickname, a cial capital that has a population of 23mn. play on how his name is pronounced in Chinese, Yet the player has still to adapt. The team’s that means “very homesick boy”. Manchester manager, Gus Poyet, said in May: “The language City counterparts would understand. In 2010, is complicated – but with the food, there are his City teammate Roque Santa Cruz explained: people who suff er a little more and that hap- “He wants to be among his people, who are in pened to Tevez. At the beginning he did not eat Argentina. Your heart goes out to his family. His almost anything.” South American club mates siblings and his daughters are there … when you Fredy Guarin and Moreno tried their best. “We feel that your homeland is calling you back, you had a barbecue … and we had to remove the Chi- In the days leading up to the 2012 kick-off , I Anelka or Drogba, who Zhu seemed more inter- pected. He has not been terrible but, when he could end up giving up everything to return.” nese food,” Poyet added. sat with the new coach, Jean Tigana, in a brand ested in using to promote his new online game has played, just underwhelming. Yet it is Shenhua making the sacrifi ces. The Shenhua have been here before, though the new clubhouse at Shenhua’s Pudong train- than to collect points on the pitch. Soon they Fans at the club – some of the most loyal in Colombian playmaker Giovanni Moreno has club is much better run than it was in 2012 when ing ground, all black steel, glass and beanbags were struggling to get paid and heading home. Asia – have not seen anything that suggests this been a hero at the club for six seasons but was the previous owner, Zhu Jun, brought in Nicolas and situated metres away from youth academy In 2014, Greenland, another real estate de- is a player worth the money he is supposedly shunted to the side in the early days to accom- Anelka and Didier Drogba. Zhu made his money buildings that were falling apart. veloper to enter the Chinese Super League, took banking. He may have surprised a few by re- modate the Argentinian’s arrival. in online gaming. He once sacked a coach whose Tigana struggled to keep it together when the over and stabilised the situation. turning from Argentina last week but eyebrows Tevez’s fi rst competitive game was a crucial, mother had just died and famously selected conversation came to what it was like to work The club fi nished fourth last season, a best would be raised higher than the Oriental Pearl though fairly comfortable-looking, one-off himself for a friendly against Liverpool. with Zhu. He did not last long and neither did showing since 2010. With Tevez, more was ex- Tower if he was back in Shanghai next season.

ROUND-UP FOCUS Klopp welcomes Coutinho Woodburn, 17, revives Wales WC bid AFP Tom Lawrence on 69 minutes and Cole- Cardiff , United Kingdom man’s gamble reaped immediate rewards as the youngster controlled a headed clearance back into Liverpool squad before rifl ing beyond Lindner from 25 me- eenager Ben Woodburn enjoyed a tres to spark jubilant celebrations. iverpool manager Juergen dream international debut as he Captain Ashley Williams diverted an Ar- Klopp believes play- fi red Wales to a 1-0 victory over nautovic attempt over his own crossbar as maker Philippe Coutinho Austria in Cardiff on Saturday to Austria searched desperately for an equal- is still a key part of the Tbolster their chances of reaching next year’s iser, but Wales nearly added to their advan- Lsquad and can perform well, the World Cup. The 17-year-old Liverpool strik- tage twice in stoppage time. First, Bale’s ac- German boss said following the er drilled home the winner just four minutes robatic overhead eff ort was superbly clawed 25-year-old’s failed bid to move after coming on as a second-half substitute away by Lindner before Hal Robson-Kanu’s to Barcelona. Coutinho and to keep Wales unbeaten in qualifying and drive clipped the base of the post with virtu- Borussia Dortmund winger Ous- four points adrift of Group D leaders Serbia. ally the fi nal kick of the game. mane Dembele were Barcelona’s Chris Coleman’s side also cut the gap to “It was one of those games were it was to key transfer targets after forward second-placed Republic of Ireland, held 1-1 and fro. Austria will feel hard done by but on Neymar joined Paris St Germain. in Georgia, to two points with three matches the balance of the second half we were the While the Spanish club signed to play as they attempt to reach the World stronger team,” said Coleman. “We have to Dembele, Liverpool rejected all Cup fi nals for the fi rst time since 1958. do the same again in Moldova (tomorrow). bids for Coutinho, saying he was “The ball just came out of the air and I We will be okay if we do what we did in the not for sale. On Saturday, Liv- just tried to shoot it as quickly as I could,” second half tonight.” erpool sources dismissed claims Woodburn said, after becoming Wales’ Wales’ striker Ben Woodburn runs with the Earlier, Ireland were frustrated in Tbi- made by Barcelona director Al- second youngest goalscorer in history at 17 ball during the World Cup qualifiers against lisi as Valeri Kazaishvili cancelled out Shane bert Soler, who said the Premier years and 322 days, behind only Gareth Bale. Austria in Cardiff on Saturday. (AFP) Duff y’s fourth-minute goal for the visi- League side were demanding “It’s a great feeling, I couldn’t ask for much tors. Serbia held onto top spot in the group 200mn euros for Coutinho. more from the fans. I won’t sleep tonight.” nautovic curled over with just Wayne Hen- thanks to a 3-0 home win over Moldova, “We have our situation and Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho jokes with mascot ‘Canarinho’ during Bale returned from suspension at the nessey to beat after a terrifi c through-ball with Mijat Gacinovic, Aleksandar Kolarov Dortmund (with Dembele) has training session ahead of the World Cup qualifiers match against Principality Stadium after missing the 1-1 from Julian Baumgartlinger. and Aleksandar Mitrovic getting the goals. another,” Klopp said. “Don’t Colombia in Manaus, Brazil. (Reuters) stalemate with Serbia in June, the fi fth time Austria defender Martin Hinteregger Martin O’Neill’s Ireland dropped two believe everything in the press in sixth qualifi ers Wales had been held to bravely blocked a fi rmly-struck eff ort from points behind Serbia, who they host in Dub- or that there are off ers here and even the late €100m off er did not perspective as they came on the a draw. Arsenal midfi elder Aaron Ramsey Ramsey early in the second period before lin tomorrow, while Austria’s prospects now there and that the minute after get over the line. Wenger said: anniversary of the invasion of fi red a left-footed drive narrowly over inside Heinz Lindner palmed behind a vicious, appear all but doomed ahead of the visit of the off er has been entered, it “€100mn for Lemar? Yes all Poland by Nazi Germany, which the opening 10 minutes, while Marko Ar- dipping shot from Bale. Woodburn replaced Georgia. should already be over. We have true, I wanted him. He decided started World War II in 1939. exactly the situation we wanted to stay at Monaco. We will come “I can’t turn directly to sport- and no other.” back for him.” ing questions without com- WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Brazil international Coutinho Alexis Sanchez’s proposed menting on what happened in will return to Anfi eld after his move to Manchester City col- Prague,” Loew said at the start nation’s World Cup qualifi er lapsed as a result of Arsenal’s of a press conference ahead of against Colombia tomorrow. failure to push through a late today’s qualifi er against Norway Coutinho is yet to feature for move for Lemar, with a medical in Stuttgart, victory in which Dutch give themselves ‘Propper’ chance Liverpool this campaign due virtually impossible due because could secure Germany’s place in AFP stroying the Dutch 4-0 in Paris last Thurs- The RB Leipzig winger Emil Forsberg took to a back injury but is likely to the player was on international Russia next year. Paris day. Advocaat made three changes from that advantage of poor defending to roll in the return during the team’s trip to duty. He scored twice in France’s “I’m full of anger and I’m game, with Wesley Sneijder one of those to opener and Christoff er Nyman then dis- Manchester City in the Premier resounding 4-0 win against very much shaken to see that drop out as Lyon full-back Kenny Tete, Fey- possessed Mikhail Sivakou before making League on Sept. 9. Holland on Thursday. some so-called fans use football, avy Propper was on target twice enoord’s Tonny Vilhena and Propper came it 2-0. More awful defending saw Forsberg and an international match, for as the Netherlands boosted their in. Propper, who left PSV Eindhoven for square for Marcus Berg to make it 3-0 eight WENGER CONFIRMS FANS’ NAZI CHANTS A their deplorable demonstra- hopes of making it to next year’s English Premier League newcomers Bright- minutes before half-time and it was a foul ARSENAL WILL REVISIT ‘SHAME ON GERMANY’, tions. They bring shame on our World Cup with a 3-1 win over on and Hove Albion in the summer, was the on Forsberg that led to Sweden being award- country,” Loew said, hailing his BulgariaD in Amsterdam yesterday. Propper’s benefactor of good play from Daley Blind as ed a penalty late on that Andreas Granqvist MOVE FOR LEMAR SAYS LOEW Arsene Wenger has said he will Germany coach Joachim Loew players’ decision to not applaud goals came either side of an Arjen Robben he made it 1-0 inside seven minutes. converted to complete the victory. revisit his interest in the Monaco yesterday dubbed as ‘shameful the block where away fans were eff ort and Dick Advocaat’s side move back Georgi Kostadinov headed against the Earlier yesterday, centre-back Domagoj forward Thomas Lemar, after Nazi-era chanting by a hardcore gathered at the end of the match, above the Bulgarians into third place in Eu- post soon after for the Bulgarians but the Vida’s goal gave Croatia a crucial 1-0 vic- confi rming Arsenal submitted group of ‘so-called fans’ during a as is customary. ropean qualifying Group A. Dutch eventually doubled their lead mid- tory over Kosovo in a match that had been a late £92mn bid for the France World Cup qualifi er. The chants “I am favourable to very severe They are three points behind France, who way through the second half as Blind again stopped on Saturday due to heavy rain and a international before the transfer of ‘Sieg Heil’ (Hail Victory) sanctions against these trouble- were playing Luxembourg late last night, provided the for captain Robben to net waterlogged pitch in Zagreb. deadline on Thursday. came from a 200-strong group makers. We don’t want them, and Sweden, 4-0 winners away in Bela- from inside the six-yard box. The Group I encounter resumed in the Wenger said Arsenal met Mo- of travelling fans in Friday’s 2-1 we’re not their national team, rus. But with Sweden to visit Amsterdam Kostadinov stooped to pull one back for 21st minute on Sunday with Vida scoring 16 naco’s €100mn (£92mn) asking win over the Czech Republic in and they’re not our fans. Given in the last round of matches next month, Bulgaria before Quincy Promes set up Prop- minutes from the end. price for the 21-year-old but that Prague. our history, it’s very important the three-time World Cup runners-up still per to head in and make it 3-1 with 11 min- The win took Croatia back above Ukraine Lemar decided against a move They also whistled during the for us to represent our country in stand a chance of making it to Russia after utes remaining. to the top of the table. Belgium had a chance away from the Ligue 1 champi- minute’s silence before kick-off a dignifi ed fashion and its values missing out on Euro 2016. Sweden got their own qualifi cation bid to clinch qualifi cation late last night by ons. Arsenal made three bids for for two deceased Czech offi cials. of tolerance, respect and open- Nevertheless, the best they can hope for is back on track after a 3-2 defeat in Sofi a on beating Greece in Piraeus — that would give Lemar earlier in the summer, the The chants were particularly ness to the world. These trouble- surely second place and a play-off , with the Thursday as they outclassed Belarus, racing them an unassailable advantage at the top of biggest being worth €50mn, but embarrassing from a German makers demean this image.” French on course to top the group after de- into a three-goal lead by the interval. Group H.

Monday, September 4, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

QATAR TRAIN AHEAD OF CHINA CLASH

Qatar footballers train at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday on the eve of their final 2018 World Cup qualifiers against China. Tomorrow’s match is an inconsequential one for Qatar as they are already out of contention for the Russia World Cup. Interim Qatar coach Felix Sanchez.

SPOTLIGHT Mbappe wants to ‘mark Isco sparks Spain rout of history’ with PSG

Paris: Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, at 18 the Italy to close on World Cup most expensive French play- er of all time, said yesterday he wanted to ‘mark the histo- ry’ of the French capital with Italy’s first defeat in a qualifier since 2006 means Spain now lead Group G of European qualifying his new club. Mbappe, who hails from the northeastern AFP Parisian surburb of Bondy, Madrid joined PSG from Monaco on a season-long loan last week in a deal that will make him pain took a giant step towards qualifying the second most expensive for next year’s World Cup as Isco’s double footballer in history. and Alvaro Morata’s late strike swept aside His overall transfer fee Italy 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sat- could rise to 180mn euros urdayS night. Isco was the star performer in a bril- ($215mn) including add-ons, liant team display from the hosts as his early free- which would make Mbappe kick and long-range eff ort before half-time put second only to new team- Spain in control before Morata came off the bench mate Neymar on the all-time to rub salt in Italian wounds. list of costliest transfers. “Isco was magnifi cent, like the rest of his team- “Big players have marked mates,” said Spain coach Julen Lopetegui. “He history in their country opened the game up for us with his two goals.” Italy’s whether with the national fi rst defeat in a qualifi er since 2006 means Spain team or their club,” Mbappe now lead Group G of European qualifying by three told TF1, adding that it would points with just three games remaining and can also have been premature to have count on a far superior goal diff erence. left France. “What I want The Azzurri are now likely to face a tricky two- to do is to really mark the legged playoff in November to book their place in history of my city. PSG was Russia. “We’ve seen a match in which there was a really the project that allowed huge diff erence in the quality and physique of the me to carry on my progress sides,” admitted Italy boss Giampiero Ventura. “Our while playing.” objective is to work hard to get to the World Cup and Asked whether the arrival be competitive at the World Cup.” of Neymar from Barcelona for Lopetegui opted to start without a recognised a record 222mn euros aff ect- striker as Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio made his ed his decision to join PSG, fi rst competitive international start as one of six Mbappe said: “No. “Nonethe- midfi elders. Asensio has made a habit of scoring on less, to play with Neymar is his debuts for Real and was heavily involved in the really something extraordi- opener, although it was his club teammate Isco who nary. We all know the player provided the killer touch on 14 minutes. he is. PSG already interested Leonardo Bonucci was lucky only to see a yellow me but with Neymar it’s true card for chopping down Asensio on the edge of the that it was an extra boost.” area. Isco scooped the resulting free-kick over the “When you arrive at a club Italian wall and beyond legendary keeper Gianluigi like that, which has the ambi- Buff on, who was slow to react. tion of becoming the best In stark contrast to when Italy dumped Spain club in the world, you have out of Euro 2016 little over a year ago with a com- the ambition to win every- prehensive 2-0 last-16 win, the visitors were thor- Spain’s midfielder Isco celebrates after scoring a goal against Italy in the World Cup 2018 qualifier at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. (AFP) thing. The Champions League oughly outplayed in the fi rst 45 minutes. However, is part of those competitions the Azzurri had one glaring opportunity when And- out once more when Lorenzo Insigne’s drive from Morata with the simplest of tasks to fi re into the roof Finland: Finland 1 (Ring 8) Iceland 0; At Kharkiv, so we’ll play to win every- rea Belotti’s powerful header produced an excellent the edge of the area lacked the accuracy to beat the of the net. Ukraine: Ukraine 2 (Yarmolenko 18, 42) Turkey 0 thing.” reaction save from David de Gea. Spain’s passing and Manchester United stopper. A packed Bernabeu was then given more to cheer GROUP D French pundits were left pressing in the fi rst period was reminiscent of the More Isco magic nearly created a third for Spain in the fi nal seconds as Spain’s all-time leading scor- At Tbilisi: Georgia 1 (Kazaishvili 34) Republic of Ireland purring about Mbappe, Ar- glory period in which La Roja won three consecutive as he left Marco Verratti trailing in his wake before er David Villa’s three-year exile from international 1 (Duff y 4); At Belgrade: Serbia 3 (Gacinovic 20, senal coach Arsene Wenger major tournaments between 2008 and 2012. playing in Dani Carvajal, but Buff on made amends football came to an end when the New York City Kolarov 30, Mitrovic 81) Moldova 0; At Cardiff : Wales 1 said he had the potential ‘to And a fl owing team move got the fi nish it de- for his previous error by clawing the right-back’s striker replaced Isco to a standing ovation. (Woodburn 74) Austria 0 become a Pele’, and 1998 served fi ve minutes before half-time when Isco cut attempted chip to safety. “It was incredible to watch GROUP G World Cup winner Bixente inside onto his weaker left foot, but still dispatched Isco up close, he is an incredible player” added Ven- WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFYING RESULTS At Elbasan, Albania: Albania 2 (Roshi 54, Agolli 78) Lizarazu claiming he was an unstoppable eff ort from outside the box low past tura. Spain’s third arrived 13 minutes from time as IN THE EUROPEAN ZONE Liechtenstein 0 ‘more complete’ than France’s the helpless Buff on. Spain were happy to sit on their Sergio Ramos careered forward from defence to lead GROUP I At Madrid: Spain 3 (Isco 14, 40, Morata 77) Italy 0 record goal scorer Thierry lead after the break and needed De Gea to bail them a counter-attack and his inch-perfect low cross left At Zagreb: Croatia 1 (Vida 74) Kosovo 0; At Tampere, At Haifa, Israel: Israel 0 Macedonia 1 (Pandev 73) Henry at the same age. Mbappe scored his first international goal in France’s FOCUS 4-0 victory over the Nether- lands on Thursday, coming off the bench to net at the Asian WC qualifying goes down to the wire death.

Reuters claim third and a route through the playoff s. Hong Kong Group A, meanwhile, has a four-way tussle for the two remaining spots that could lead to the World Cup. Second placed South Korea can qualify directly even Asian nations will discover their World for an eighth successive World Cup appearance with Cup fate tomorrow as the race to Russia a win over fourth-placed Uzbekistan in Tashkent. 2018 draws to a climax. With Iran and Japan A defeat, however, could be catastrophic for the having already booked their places at next South Koreans if third-placed Syria can upset Iran year’sS fi nals, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United away. That could put Syria, who are ahead of Uz- Arab Emirates, South Korea, Syria, Uzbekistan and bekistan on goal diff erence, in second place and China all jostle for the remaining tickets. grant them automatic passage to Russia. The top two teams from both Asian groups qual- A win over Iran, who remain unbeaten in this ify directly, with the third-placed sides to battle phase of qualifying, would be a stunning achieve- each other for the right to enter an intercontinental ment by a side that has been forced to play all their playoff against a side from the CONCACAF region. home games away due to the civil war at home. But Australia’s fate continues to rest in the hands of the Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has stressed his team will Japanese. The Socceroos take on Thailand in Mel- not ease up despite having already qualifi ed for a bourne knowing victory may not be enough to en- fi fth World Cup appearance. sure an automatic place should Saudi Arabia defeat Australia take on Thailand in Melbourne tomorrow knowing victory may not be enough to ensure an “To think that these players are going to make it the Samurai Blue in Jeddah. automatic place should Saudi Arabia defeat Japan in Jeddah. (AFP) easy against Syria is to not know them, their profes- “There’s no more important game that I can re- sionalism, character and pride serving the Iranian call over the last 10 years since we’ve been in Asia ference, meaning wins for both teams could see the group following their win over the Saudis last Tues- nation,” said Queiroz. On the fringes are Marcello for qualifi cation,” Australia’s stand-in captain Mark Saudis seal their spot in Russia and Ange Postec- day, also retain a mathematical hope. Lippi’s China, who could yet a place in the Milligan said of the Thailand game. Australia are oglou’s team head into the playoff s. But they would need a big win over Iraq plus playoff s if they beat Qatar away and both Uzbekistan third in Group B and trail Saudi Arabia on goal dif- The United Arab Emirates, currently fourth in the heavy defeats for both Australia and Saudi Arabia to and Syria lose.